He has put in an incredible amount of effort to reach that point, with an insatiable desire for continuous improvement having first been noted while still in his teens.

Tonito, who was on Sporting’s books as Ronaldo was breaking through, told Gazzetta dello Sport of the dedication shown by a modern day icon to being the best: “Cristiano was a kid, but he was just like the man he became: humble, ambitious, determined and professional beyond belief.